Baby’s First

If you have an infant in the house, sure, you’re probably excited to celebrate your first Thanksgiving with the little tyke, but at the same time, you’re probably thinking: How in the hell am I going to pull this off when I can barely get a shower in these days?

Our #1 solution: Get someone else to host.

Our #2 solution: Pick up your Thanksgiving meal from a local restaurant. (Angelenos, we suggest Auntie Em’s! Call them stat.)

But one thing likely missing from the above options is baby-friendly dishes. In that case, you’re stuck, so you’ll have to at least cook some of the feast. No worries! If you’re scrambling to pull off the ultimate first Thanksgiving for you and your baby, we have done some of the work for you, selecting plenty of deliciously divine dish suggestions you can try!

Now enough with the chatter, we’ve got chowing down to do! So let’s take care of the smallest mouth first with three easy tasteful delights exclusively developed by Chef Jeff Parker for Rockabye Baby for your wee babes to celebrate Thanksgiving!

Tomorrow, my daughter turns two. This is when I should be running for cover, and believe me, these past few weeks I have felt like I need to.

Little D has always been a force to be reckoned with and it seems with each passing day she becomes even more willful. (Translation: Her way, or the highway.) But I’m realizing that her fighting spirit is just the kind of toughness she’ll need as she deals with what’s happening in her near future: preschool.

When do you think a kid is ready for school?

Is two too early to send her to school? I’ve been struggling with this decision, wondering if she’s ready. So I’ve been taking her for an hour or so each week to ease her into it. I wanted to see how she does in that setting, going from a home daycare of maybe 10 kids tops (the majority of whom are younger than her) to a preschool with 30 kids where she’ll be the youngest.

And, after three visits my almost two-year-old Little D is doing great. How did I make that assessment?

She stood her ground with her peers. When a much bigger, older kid, who I’m sure will be her frenemy — Audrey, I have my eye on you — tried to take a toy away from her just to be mean, Little D took it back and said, “No.” Audrey gave up. No adult had to intervene.

She didn’t argue with the grownups . . . like she does at home. When one of the teachers told her not to lean back in her chair, because she could hurt herself, Little D listened. (Though, I should note, I didn’t particularly like how that request was delivered. It’s difficult to see someone else discipline my child!)

She followed her peers when she was supposed to. When snack time arrived and all the kids were to grab a chair and sit around a table, she did the same. While she didn’t sit very long with them — like a minute — at least she got a gist of what she should be doing.

She wanted to use the bathroom . . . though she didn’t really use it. I believe she was particularly thrilled to see things sized for people of her stature.

She didn’t cry when she arrived or when we left. I always consider that a good sign! I’m hoping that will be the case every time.

So with that, I’m no longer fearing the terrible twos people speak of and declaring this year the year of the tough, terrific twos! Bring it on. Preschool . . . you’re about to be Little D’d! Besides, she decided she’s skipping age two altogether. When we ask her how old she’s going to be, she says, “Four.”

Happy Birthday, Little D!

P.S. No, I’m not buying or making you a house like this, but you can visit it at preschool.

I’ve been trying to figure that out since our daughter got her pincers working, and the instrument is always changing. She has shown me a lot about what is right for her when it comes to rocking out. For instance, size matters. She loves our vintage accordion, but it probably weighs half her body weight right now. Choose an instrument that your child can play without you — and can avoid injury using. So we’ve opted for a makeshift drum set of cooking pot lids and drum sticks that she can set up on her own.

I’ve also learned that I shouldn’t necessarily give into just any instrument. Remember, parents, your ears matter. That means, if you can’t stand the sound of a trumpet every day, don’t assume that if your kid plays it it’s going to change your mind. Spare your ears sounds you know you don’t like. Likewise, if your child cringes at the thought of playing the piano, you can check that one off the eligible instruments . . . for now.

Check out all 10 Tips for Choosing the Right Instrument for Your Child below, or for an “expert” opinion, read this PBS article on the subject.

Have more tips on how to choose the right instrument for a child?

Share below! And for some great music to play along and sing and sleep to, check out some of our releases below.

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Haven’t slept in days, Mom and Dad? Don’t run for the hills. If you’ve only got two minutes to bedtime, spin these calming versions of Iron Maiden’s most crucial hits. No longer shall you fear the dark.

It’s our 10th birthday party and you’re all invited! Come celebrate with our perfect party playlist. We’ve taken favorites, from Daft Punk’s “Get Lucky” to The Beatles’ “Birthday” and a whole bunch in between, and turned them into sweet, soft instrumental lullabies. Today, we’re going to (quietly) celebrate good times, come on!